GDG- a traitor to his country's interest.

[Dennis Lawrence]

Tuesday, June 21, 1836.
New Salem, IL.
	

Lincoln writes to Col. Robert Allen of Springfield, asking him to make 
public facts which Allen has said would, if made known, defeat Lincoln and 
Ninian W. Edwards in August election. [Allen does not reply.To Robert Allen [1]
 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Dear Col. New Salem, June 21. 1836

I am told that during my absence last week, you passed through this place, 
and stated publicly, that you were in possession of a fact or facts, which, 
if known to the public, would entirely destroy the prospects of N. W. 
Edwards [2] and myself at the ensuing election; but that, through favour to 
us, you should forbear to divulge them.

No one has needed favours more than I, and generally, few have been less 
unwilling to accept them; but in this case, favour to me, would be 
injustice to the public, and therefore I must beg your pardon for declining 
it. That I once had the confidence of the people of Sangamon, is 
sufficiently evident, and if I have since done any thing, either by design 
or misadventure, which if known, would subject me to a forfeiture of that 
confidence, he that knows of that thing, and conceals it, is a traitor to 
his country's interest.

I find myself wholly unable to form any conjecture of what fact or facts, 
real or supposed, you spoke; but my opinion of your veracity, will not 
permit me, for a moment, to doubt, that you at least believed what you said.

I am flattered with the personal regard you manifested for me, but I do 
hope that, on more mature reflection, you will view the public interest as 
a paramount consideration, and, therefore, determine to let the worst come.

I here assure you, that the candid statement of facts, on your part, 
however low it may sink me, shall never break the tie of personal 
friendship between us.

I wish an answer to this, and you are at liberty to publish both if you 
choose Verry Respectfully, A. LINCOLN.
Annotation

[1]   ALS, IHi. Robert Allen was a resident of Springfield. There seems to 
be no record of any reply to Lincoln's communication. A number of 
references to Allen in Lincoln's later letters relate only to business 
dealings. This letter was first published by Allen's son, Major Robert 
Allen, in the Illinois State Journal, May 10, 1865, as an example of 
Lincoln's early ``candor, honor, and high integrity.''

[2]   Ninian Wirt Edwards---whose father, Ninian Edwards the elder, had 
been the first governor of Illinois Territory, and later United States 
Senator from Illinois---was a well-to-do resident of Springfield and a Whig 
candidate for the legislature.